Tejn: Harbour and Smokehouse History

Fishing Village, Harbour and Smokehouses

For a long time, Tejn had no proper harbour. Fishermen landed their catch at a simpler, unprotected spot on the coast. A proper harbour was built in 1868. This development explains why fishing and the coast shape the town’s historic character, without conflating the former landing place with the harbour built later.

Tejn’s fish-processing history includes the 18 herring smokehouses that once operated there. They were spread along the streets around the coast and the old harbour. Ice for fishermen’s catches was once produced in the old Isværk at the end of the pier at Tejn Havn. The smokehouses and Isværk represent two different aspects of local fishing history: processing herring and producing ice for the catch.

Traces of Smokehouse History

The Røgerinoen route passes through Tejn and tells the story of the old smokehouses with signs, photos and QR codes. This brings the history to life not just as a number, but also through the smokehouses’ distribution around town. Visitors interested in the development of fishing can connect information on the route with the historical details about the harbour and Isværk. These remain distinct parts of local history: the route focuses on the smokehouses, while Isværk once produced ice for fishermen’s catches.

Maritime Experiences and Beer from Tejn

At ivandet in Tejn Havn, visitors can explore the underwater world and wildlife of the Baltic Sea alongside marine biologists. Maritime activities for the whole family are also offered. During school holidays and public holidays, these include waders, fishing nets, water viewers or snorkelling equipment. Visitors can discover fish, algae, small animals and life in the harbour up close. The activities are tied to these holiday periods; check in advance what is currently on offer.

Penyllan Brewery is another part of the local offering. Its brewing process uses wooden barrels, slow maturation and its own yeast cultures. Thousands of litres of beer mature over a long period in large cellars. When Penyllan’s bar and shop are open, visitors can try the beer where it is made, close to the harbour’s boats and buildings. A tasting therefore depends on both venues being open; check their current opening arrangements before your visit.

Smokehouse Tradition on Bornholm

Smoking also has a long history on Bornholm. Bornholm’s first smokehouse opened in Gudhjem in 1866, where herring has been smoked ever since. Hasle Smokehouse is the last smokehouse on Bornholm where fish is smoked in the traditional way, using open chimneys and alder wood. These places around the island complement Tejn’s local history, in which the 18 herring smokehouses once spread along the streets around the coast and old harbour played a distinct role.

Considering Tejn as a Place to Stay

Tejn Havn is a good stop for recreational boaters travelling along Bornholm’s north coast; local conditions may vary. The island overview lists ferry, plane, bus or train as ways to reach Bornholm. The ferry crossing from Ystad in Sweden to Bornholm takes one hour and 20 minutes. Check current timetables before travelling. This information relates to travel to Bornholm; it does not describe transport from the arrival point to Tejn.

Tejn offers a clear focus when choosing a place to stay: fishing history, old smokehouses, Baltic Sea experiences and a brewery with its own maturation process. The conditions for visiting the attractions differ: a tasting at Penyllan requires both the bar and shop to be open, while ivandet’s maritime activities are offered during school holidays and public holidays. Take these conditions into account when planning and check current opening hours and dates.

Discover more destinations: Listed, Arsballe, Gudhjem, Rø, Klemensker, Østerlars, Østermarie, Kås.

Back to the main travel overview: Bornholm.